<p>Today, W3C announces completion of two critical pieces of the SpeechInterface Framework: VoiceXML 2.0 and the Speech Recognition GrammarSpecification. The standardization of these technologies give a strongfoundation to bringing more connections between Voice-based systems andthe Web.</p><p>For more information, including contacts for spokespeople from the 16testimonial providers, please contact Janet Daly <janet> at +1617 253 5884.</janet></p><p>====================================================================</p><p>World Wide Web Consortium Issues VoiceXML 2.0 and Speech RecognitionGrammar as W3C Recommendations</p><p>Critical components of the W3C Speech Interface Framework now complete</p><p>Web Resources:</p><p>This Press Releasein English: http://www.w3.org/2004/03/voicexml2-pressrelease.html.enin French: http://www.w3.org/2004/03/voicexml2-pressrelease.html.frin Japanese: http://www.w3.org/2004/03/voicexml2-pressrelease.html.ja</p><p>Testimonials from Aspect Communications, Comverse, Genesys, HP, IBM,Loquendo, Microsoft, Motorola, Nuance, Openstream, ScanSoft, TellMe,Vocalocity, VoiceGenie, Voxeo, and Voxpilot:http://www.w3.org/2004/03/voicexml2-testimonial</p><p>SRGS Recommendation: http://www.w3.org/TR/2004/REC-speech-grammar-20040316/</p><p>VoiceXML 2.0 Recommendation:http://www.w3.org/TR/2004/REC-voicexml20-20040316/</p><p>http://www.w3.org/ -- 16 March 2004 -- Giving voice to the Web, theWorld Wide Web Consortium (W3C) has published VoiceXML 2.0 and SpeechRecognition Grammar Specification (SRGS) as W3C Recommendations. Thegoal of VoiceXML 2.0 is to bring the advantages of Web-based developmentand content delivery to interactive voice response applications. SRGS iskey to VoiceXML's support for speech recognition, and is used bydevelopers to describe end-users responses to spoken prompts.</p><p>Today's announcement marks the advancement to Recommendation status ofthe first two specifications in W3C's Speech Interface Framework. Aimedat the world's estimated two billion fixed line and mobile phones, W3C'sSpeech Interface Framework will allow an unprecedented number of peopleto use any telephone to interact with appropriately designed Web-basedservices via key pads, spoken commands, listening to pre-recordedspeech, synthetic speech and music.</p><p>"The completion of VoiceXML 2.0 and SRGS marks an exciting milestone inthe convergence of telecom technologies and the Web. Historically, therewere both technical and cultural gaps between the way voice-basedsystems have evolved and that of the Internet and Web, leaving theinformation available only to voice systems or the Web," explained TimBerners-Lee, W3C Director. "With the development of the W3C SpeechInterface Framework, including VoiceXML 2.0 and SRGS, we're now able tointegrate and benefit from the strengths of both groups - the power andimpact of industrial research and broad product testing and deployment,and the extensibility and openness of technical solutions that areconsistent with Web technical principles, and can scale accordingly."</p><p>A World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) Recommendation is understood byindustry and the Web community at large as a Web standard. EachRecommendation is a stable specification developed by a W3C WorkingGroup and reviewed by the W3C Membership. Recommendations promoteinteroperability of Web technologies of the Web by explicitly conveyingthe industry consensus formed by the Working Group.</p><p>VoiceXML 2.0 and SRGS Lay the Foundations for the W3C Speech InterfaceFramework</p><p>In the W3C Speech Interface Framework, VoiceXML controls how theapplication interacts with the user, while the Speech Synthesis MarkupLanguage (SSML) is used for spoken prompts and the Speech RecognitionGrammar Specification (SRGS) for guiding the speech recognizers viagrammars that describe the expected user responses. Other specificationsin the Framework include Voice Browser Call Control (CCXML), whichprovides telephony call control support for VoiceXML and other dialogsystems, and Semantic Interpretation for Speech Recognition, whichdefines how speech grammars bind to application semantics.</p><p>VoiceXML 2.0 Delivers Voice and Interactivity to the W3C SpeechInterface Framework</p><p>VoiceXML 2.0 allows developers to create audio dialogs that featuresynthesized speech, digitized audio, recognition of spoken and Dual tonemulti-frequency (DTMF, or touch-tone) key input, recording of spokeninput, telephony, and mixed-initiative conversations. VoiceXML isdownloaded from HTTP servers in the same way as HTML. This means thatapplication developers can take full advantage of widely deployed andindustry proven Web technologies.</p><p>"VoiceXML 2.0 has the power to change the way phone-based informationand customer services are developed. No longer will we we have to press'one' for this or 'two' for that. Instead, we will be able to makeselections and provide information by speech," explained Dave Raggett,W3C Voice Browser Activity Lead. "In addition, VoiceXML 2.0 createsopportunities for people with visual impairments or those needing Webaccess while keeping their hands and eyes free for other things, such asgetting directions while driving."</p><p>SRGS Drives Robust Recognition of User Responses</p><p>The Speech Recognition Grammar Specification--SRGS-- allows applicationsto specify the words and phrases that users are prompted to speak. Thisenables robust speaker independent recognition.</p><p>SRGS covers both speech and DTMF input. DTMF input is valuable in noisyconditions or when the social context makes it awkward to speak. Speechrecognizers are generally able to report the degree of confidence --that is, the likelihood of having correctly recognized the word orphrase - and may provide the most likely alternatives when therecognizer is uncertain as to which of them the user actually said.</p><p>SRGS is applicable to more than speech and has been successfully appliedto handwriting recognition where the user input is a constrained set ofwords.</p><p>Adoption Rate of VoiceXML 2.0 and SRGS Already Industry Wide</p><p>In order to advance to W3C's Recommendation status, there must beevidence of independent interoperable implementations - it must beproven to work. In the case of VoiceXML 2.0, the implementation evidenceis extraordinary, with at least eight known implementations in bothprototype and fully released products. A complete list of currentimplementors is available. The implementation report for SRGS includesat least six complete, independent implementations.</p><p>There is an extensive, public test suite. While the initial versioncontained roughly 300 tests, the final version contains over 600 tests.This complements the test suite provided with the Speech RecognitionGrammar Specification and the test suite for Speech Synthesis MarkupLanguage which became a W3C Candidate Recommendation in December 2003.Test suites for the remaining specifications in the W3C Speech InterfaceFramework, including Semantic Interpretation for Speech Recognition andCCXML, are under development by the W3C Voice Browser Working Group andwill be published over the next few months.</p><p>In addition to the continued work on the remainder of the SpeechInterface Framework, the Voice Browser Working Group is already hard atwork designing the requirements for the next major version of the dialogmarkup language, which will build upon the success of VoiceXML 2.0 andincorporate ideas from SALT, XHTML+Voice, and other W3C Membercontributions.</p><p>The W3C Voice Browser Working Group is among the largest and most activein W3C. Its participants include: Aspect Communications, BeVocal, Canon,Comverse Technology, Convedia, ERCIM, France Telecom, HeyAnita, Hitachi,HP, IBM, Intel, IWA-HWG, Loquendo, Microsoft, MITRE, MitsubishiElectric, Motorola, Nuance Communications, Openstream, SAP, Scansoft,Siemens, Snowshore Networks, Sun Microsystems, Telera, Tellme Networks,Verscape, VoiceGenie Technologies, Voxeo, and Voxpilot.</p><p>Testimonials for W3C's Recommendations - VoiceXML 2.0 and SpeechRecognition Grammar Specification (SRGS)</p><p>These testimonials are in support of W3C's Recommendations - VoiceXML2.0 and Speech Recognition Grammar Specification (SRGS).</p><p>Aspect Communications | Comverse | Genesys TelecommunicationsLaboratories | HP | IBM | Loquendo | Microsoft Corporation | Motorola |Nuance | Openstream, Inc. | ScanSoft | TellMe | Vocalocity | VoiceGenie| Voxeo | Voxpilot</p><p>Aspect Communications is committed to open, standards-based contactcenter solutions. We believe VoiceXML 2.0 can contribute to the renewedmarket interest in Interactive Voice Response solutions and speechapplications. By integrating VoiceXML 2.0 into both its traditional andnext-generation IVR platforms, Aspect is offering its customersincreased flexibility, portability, and investment protection.</p><p>-- James Barnett, Chief Architect, Customer Self-Service Products,Aspect Communications</p><p>As a key participant on the W3C Voice Browser Working Group and alongtime supporter of open standards, Comverse is pleased to contributeto and endorse VoiceXML 2.0 and the Speech Recognition GrammarSpecification as W3C Recommendations. The ratification of thesestandards allows Comverse to quickly and simply interchange speechrecognition technologies in order to provide its customers with the bestlanguage recognition performance in each of the 100+ countries in whichit does business. Comverse's vision for total communication is aborderless world where people are free to communicate in the way that ismost appropriate and convenient for them. VoiceXML 2.0 and SRGS aremajor steps forward in realizing this goal.</p><p>-- Andy Wulff, Chief Technology Officer, Comverse Americas</p><p>Genesys is a long time supporter of VoiceXML, and is delighted thatVoiceXML 2.0 has reached W3C recommendation status. As the world leaderin open standards-based voice platforms, Genesys is committed to supportVoiceXML and believes that open standards are the future for telephonyand speech applications. This milestone is a key measurement incontinuing the industry's evolution toward open standards-basedtechnologies. Genesys looks forward to continuing its support of futureadvances in VoiceXML.</p><p>-- Paul Segre, Chief Technology Officer, Genesys TelecommunicationsLaboratories, Inc.</p><p>HP congratulates the W3C Voice Browser Working Group and the interactivemedia industry on reaching the VoiceXML 2.0 Recommendation. Thecompletion of the very first open standard for voice services is asignificant milestone in the telecommunications as well as Internetindustries. Network and service providers are moving away fromcumbersome, proprietary technologies and relying more on modular,standards-based solutions for the speed and flexibility they need toserve customer demand. Through our OpenCall Media Platform, HP enablescustomers to reduce cost and simplify change using VoiceXML in acarrier-grade environment.</p><p>-- Ed Verney, Director of Interactive Media Platforms, HP</p><p>VoiceXML 2.0, which has been key in the growth of speech applications byproviding a standards-based framework, allows businesses to deployapplications today that leverage existing development skills andresources. Because it allows speech deployments to be built over astandard web-application infrastructure, VoiceXML also provides a clearupgrade path as applications grow - unlike closed, proprietarylanguages. VoiceXML forms the foundation for IBM's voice middleware,including WebSphere Voice Server and WebSphere Voice Application Access.By committing to open standards, we provide a clear path to futureupgrades that leverage existing skills, allowing enterprises to extendtheir infrastructure. This commitment, and the W3C's work, is driving ustoward the next phase of speech interaction and in the near future,multimodality.</p><p>-- Igor Jablokov, Program Director, IBM Pervasive Computing, IBM</p><p>As a leading player in speech technologies and voice platforms, Loquendobelieves that VoiceXML 2.0 and SRGS 1.0 Recommendations are an essentialstep forward in promoting the speech application market. Indeed, it willboost the speech market, by enabling service providers, contentcreators, operators and voice portals to deliver a much richer userexperience.Loquendo high-quality, high-performance technologies andplatforms power over 2,000,000 calls every day in the telecommunicationsand enterprise markets throughout the world and guarantee solutions in15 languages. Loquendo is very pleased to contribute to the developmentof this specification, and will continue to give a strong support to W3Cand VoiceXML Forum activities.</p><p>-- Daniele Sereno, Vice President Product Engineering, Loquendo</p><p>W3C Speech Interface Framework is crucial to Microsoft's vision ofmaking speech mainstream. We have implemented SRGS, SSML and SI intoMicrosoft Speech Server 2004 that integrates speech into HTML throughSALT. Such a seamless integration with HTML has enabled our customers toextend their existing investments from desktop to multimodal andtelephony voice access in a single, cost effective step. MicrosoftSpeech Server also provides development tools in the popular VisualStudio .NET environment, paving the way for Speech Interface Frameworkto be adopted by the mainstream Web developers. Today's recommendationon SRGS is indeed an exciting first step.</p><p>-- Xuedong Huang, General Manager, Speech Technologies Group, MicrosoftCorporation</p><p>Motorola strongly supports VoiceXML 2.0 and commends the W3C VoiceBrowser Working Group for its efforts in developing this specificationand bringing it to Recommendation status. VoiceXML greatly simplifiesthe process of creating and deploying voice services and is undergoingbroad adoption across the industry for a wide range of applications. Inthe future, VoiceXML will provide the basis of multimodal-enabledservices, combining the benefits of voice with visual andpen/stylus-based interaction to further simply and enrich informationservices delivered to wireless devices.</p><p>-- Mark Randolph, Director of Technology Planning and Commercialization,Motorola Labs</p><p>Since hundreds of our customers have already deployed speech solutionsusing VoiceXML, Nuance appreciates its ability to make speechapplication development simpler and less costly. We are very pleasedwith the World Wide Web Consortium's (W3C) decision to advance VoiceXML2.0 to official recommendation status. The standardization of VoiceXML2.0 will meet a real market need for open speech standards andaccelerate the adoption of speech technologies worldwide.</p><p>-- John Shea, Vice President of Product Marketing and Management, Nuance</p><p>Openstream offers multimodal solutions based on its carrier-grade SmartMessaging Platform. The Platform implements both VoiceXML 2.0 as well asthe XHTML+VoiceXML (X+V) to support multimodal interaction. Openstreambelieves VoiceXML is an important standard and is proud to be part ofthe W3C-led effort to ensure the standard can be implemented ultimatelyin real world multimodal solutions.</p><p>-- Raj Tumuluri, President, Openstream Inc</p><p>ScanSoft congratulates the W3C Voice Browser Working Group on reachingthe Recommendation milestone for VoiceXML 2.0. It is clear that thesedeveloping standards are integral to the development of advancedtechnologies that change the way we communicate, from interactive voiceresponse solutions to in-vehicle automotive applications. Businesses andconsumers alike will benefit from the VoiceXML-based speech-enabledapplications. ScanSoft is committed to VoiceXML and the W3C processesfor standardization. Our SpeechWorks Family of ASR, TTS, and dialogsolutions are uniquely optimized to support VoiceXML 2.0 and enable ourpartners to deliver industry-leading platforms, solutions,and servicesthat are revolutionizing the business of speech.</p><p>-- Steve Chambers, Senior Vice President and General Manager Network,Speech Solutions, ScanSoft</p><p>VoiceXML 2.0, built on the Web foundation of HTML and JavaScript, israpidly transforming the proprietary telephone network to an openarchitecture. While just having reached recommendation status today,more than 1 in 10 people in the United States have already called aVoiceXML application; by next year the number will increase to 1 in 4.As the universal mark-up language for the phone, VoiceXML uses Web dataand voice recognition to deliver personalization to callers, low-costphone sites for enterprises and new services for consumers. Thecombination of voice-over-IP and VoiceXML will unleash the creativityand pace of the Web to transform the telecommunications industry to anentirely open standards-based network.</p><p>-- Brad Porter, Director of Engineering, Tellme Networks Co-Editor,VoiceXML 2.0</p><p>Five years ago, we launched the VoiceXML Forum with the goals of makingvoice applications easier to develop and less expensive to deploy byleveraging existing internet standards and infrastructure. Today, asVoiceXML 2.0 becomes a W3C Recommendation, we see widespread adoption ofthe new standard, sparking a level of innovation in applications neverbefore seen in telephony. At Vocalocity, we have designed and deployed ahighly customizable and extensible software platform that would not havebeen possible without standards like VoiceXML 2.0. As a result, our OEMand System Integrator customers enjoy lower costs and more efficient useof their resources.</p><p>-- Ken Rehor, Chief Architect, Vocalocity; Co-Editor, VoiceXML 2.0; andMember of Founding Team, VoiceXML Forum</p><p>VoiceGenie Technologies is delighted that the VoiceXML 2.0 Specificationhas achieved full W3C Recommendation status, and applauds the diligenceof the contributors to this effort. As a participant in the W3C VoiceBrowser and Multimodal Interaction Working Groups, and as a board memberof the VoiceXML Forum, VoiceGenie remains strongly commited to thesupport of open standards such as VoiceXML 2.0, SRGS and SSML. TheVoiceGenie framework provides complete support for VoiceXML 2.0 andintegrates a selection of industry-leading ASR and TTS resources.World-class customers including AT&amp;T, Verizon, Oracle, Scotiabank andhundreds of others have selected the VoiceGenie framework for criticalapplications including customer care, directory assistance automation,retail services, voice activated dialing and more. VoiceGenie fullysupports the work of the W3C and the VoiceXML Forum, and looks forwardto continued rapid growth in the deployment of applications based on theopen standards delivered to industry by the W3C.</p><p>-- Stuart Berkowitz, President and CEO, VoiceGenie Technologies.</p><p>The release of the W3C VoiceXML 2.0 specification is another significantmilestone in the explosive growth of VoiceXML. Prior to VoiceXML,Interactive Voice Response (IVR) platforms were proprietary IT islands -disconnected from mainstream IT infrastructure. VoiceXML and the W3CCCXML standard efforts bring IVR into the world of modern, integrated ITsolutions. As a result of this progress, over 200 enterprise customershave already replaced proprietary IVR platforms with Voxeo VoiceCenterVoiceXML and CCXML platforms and hosting services.</p><p>-- Jonathan Taylor, President and CEO, Voxeo Corporation</p><p>Voxpilot is delighted that the VoiceXML 2.0 specification has reachedW3C Recommendation, thereby establishing it as the industry standardlanguage for the delivery of Web-based content and applications via theworld's telephones. VoiceXML 2.0 is a key technology in Voxpilot'sproduct suite. By integrating the Voxpilot VoiceXML browser, anytelephony or media platform can be enhanced to support an open standardWeb model for IVR delivery. The Voxpilot Telecom Solution enables anyoperator to become a voice service provider, as proved recently bySwisscom and Monaco Telecom. As an active member of the W3C VoiceBrowser Working Group, Voxpilot has made a significant contribution tothe standardization of VoiceXML and continues its support for futureevolutions of the specification.</p><p>-- Dr. Dave Burke, CTO, Voxpilot Ltd.</p><p>Contact Americas, Australia --Janet Daly, <janet>, +1.617.253.5884 or +1.617.253.2613Contact Europe --Marie-Claire Forgue, <mcf>, +33.492.38.75.94Contact Asia --Yasuyuki Hirakawa <yasuyuki>, +81.466.49.1170</yasuyuki></mcf></janet></p><p>About the World Wide Web Consortium [W3C]</p><p>The W3C was created to lead the Web to its full potential by developingcommon protocols that promote its evolution and ensure itsinteroperability. It is an international industry consortium jointly runby the MIT Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory(CSAIL) in the USA, the European Research Consortium for Informatics andMathematics (ERCIM) headquartered in France and Keio University inJapan. Services provided by the Consortium include: a repository ofinformation about the World Wide Web for developers and users, andvarious prototype and sample applications to demonstrate use of newtechnology. To date, nearly 400 organizations are Members of theConsortium. For more information see http://www.w3.org/</p><p>###</p>

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